Senate Passage of Ballast Water Discharge Regulation a Positive for Offshore Drilling Contractors

Houston, Texas (14 November 2018) – In response to the Senate’s passage today of the Coast Guard Authorization Act, which includes legislation on ballast water discharge, IADC President Jason McFarland issued the following statement:

“We have long advocated for sensible, uniform regulation when it comes to ballast water discharge. IADC members with offshore operations own and operate maritime vessels that are subject to the current maze of conflicting regulation which is administered under two Federal agencies and exists alongside multiple state rules. The result of this patchwork of overlapping regulation is costly and inefficient, and causes unnecessary confusion when it comes to compliance. Today’s passage of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) is a step in the right direction, and will create a uniform ballast discharge standard that will ultimately better protect the nation’s waterways and foster efficient and cost-effective maritime commerce.”

About IADC

Since 1940, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has exclusively represented the worldwide oil and gas drilling industry. IADC’s mission is to catalyze improved performance for the drilling industry by enhancing operational integrity and championing better regulation to facilitate safer, cleaner and more efficient drilling operations worldwide. For more information, visit IADC at www.iadc.org and www.DrillingContractor.org.